Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 08 March 2023
08 Mar 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
International Women’s Day 2023
We move to the open debate, when we will have speeches from back-bench MSPs of around six minutes. I advise members that we have some time in hand and that there is some latitude in that regard. We also have some time for interventions.
15:24In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-08137, in the name of Nicola Sturgeon, on international women’s day 2023, #EmbraceEquity. Members who wis...
The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon)
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer, and happy international women’s day to everyone here. International women’s day is a moment of celebration, but it is also a m...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
Will the First Minister consider supporting my colleague Pam Gosal’s bill that would create a domestic abuse register?
The First Minister
SNP
I think that I said previously to Pam Gosal in the chamber that we will consider the proposal sympathetically when we see more detail. I give that commitment...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I whole-heartedly welcome that. Labour supports that proposal, and we welcome the Government’s bringing it forward.
The First Minister
SNP
I thank Pauline McNeill for that support. As she will know, there have been calls for the right to independent representation to go further; indeed, some peo...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Meghan Gallacher to speak to and move amendment S6M-08137.2. 15:05
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Last weekend, I joined the First Minister and MSP colleagues as we gathered in the chamber to celebrate international women’s day. The event was organised by...
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Speaking on international women’s day is one of my favourite moments in the parliamentary year. It is an opportunity to celebrate women and the contribution ...
Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
I, too, associate myself with the comments from the First Minister and Meghan Gallacher about the inspiring event here on Saturday afternoon with the Scottis...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We move to the open debate, when we will have speeches from back-bench MSPs of around six minutes. I advise members that we have some time in hand and that t...
Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP)
SNP
I cannot be the only one who gets reflective on international women’s day. I have a ritual: I reread my parliamentary speeches from previous years. This will...
Sue Webber (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I am delighted to have the chance to speak in the debate. As a Scottish Conservative MSP, I am proud that our party is a party for women. Not only was the fi...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I am sorry to interrupt, Ms Webber, but I say to members that we have a speaker on the floor and it would be courteous to listen to her.
Sue Webber
Con
Thank you, Presiding Officer. The Scottish Hockey Union had limited funds, as many sports do, and it had to choose what its priorities were, and it actively...
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
International women’s day should be a day of celebration and empowerment. We take stock and mark the immense achievements of women in the face of systemic ba...
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Happy international women’s day to everyone who is celebrating. I, too, place on the record my best wishes to Nicola Sturgeon as she counts down the days an...
Jenni Minto (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)
SNP
It is a pleasure to follow Monica Lennon, who is perhaps another warrior woman. In my contribution to today’s international women’s day debate, I want to lo...
Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green)
Green
I begin by recognising, as others have done, that this is, I think, the last debate in the chamber that the First Minister will take part in as First Ministe...
Marie McNair (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate on international women’s day. This year’s theme is “embrace equity”, which brings a focus on the fact that ...
Roz McCall (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I am glad that the Cher lyrics that Pam Duncan-Glancy quoted were not “If I could turn back time”, especially in this context. It gives me great pleasu...
Foysol Choudhury (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I am really happy to speak in the debate, and I am honoured to be the first male member to do so on this very important day—international women’s day. I than...
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
I call Natalie Don, who is the final speaker in the open debate. 16:21
Natalie Don (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP)
SNP
International women’s day means something different to everyone. Of course, celebrating the achievements of women and scrutinising the progress that is still...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
That was an absolutely excellent speech by Natalie Don; 100 per cent of this afternoon’s speeches have been excellent, and I have enjoyed them all. On inter...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I was at BIPA as well and was struck by the words of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition and how effective it had been in promoting sustainable peace in I...
Pauline McNeill
Lab
The role of women is absolutely vital in resolving conflicts around the world. I am absolutely certain that the role of women is also absolutely vital in kee...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
I join Monica Lennon in welcoming Marion and George McMillan and Marion Scott to the gallery. The unimaginable cruelty of forced adoption is something that I...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Shona Robison to wind up the debate for the Government. 16:44
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government (Shona Robison)
SNP
This debate has been a valuable and impactful way to mark international women’s day this year. I thank members across the chamber for their powerful and thou...